Table of Contents
Describe a Challenging Technological Problem You Faced
Part 2
You should say:
- What the problem was
- When and where you faced it
- How challenging it was
- And explain how you solved it
Sample Answer 1
Challenging technological problem I faced was one month ago. I remember I was doing online research and suddenly the website just broke. There was no, the screen wasn’t able to have the webpage I wanted to see.
I was really struggling because the research was quite, the research time was quite around the corner and the final exam was approaching. So it was a disturbance to me. So I tried to, because my father did the Wi-Fi stuff and everything. So I immediately give my father a call and asked what was happening, if there was a fee due or something else.
He asked me to check my phone bills. I did that and finally discovered that there was actually a certain amount of fee that was to be paid. So I just paid immediately and maybe after, and I restarted the entire system, the computer, and after that, maybe after 10 minutes, everything just was normal. So that was a time I faced a technological problem.
Since then, I learned a lesson that I should always keep track of my phone bills and my internet bills and all kinds of bills to make sure all the services are up to date. Yeah, to prevent unnecessary disturbances. So this was a challenging technological problem I faced.
| Word / Phrase | Type | Definition | Example |
| challenging | Adjective [B2] | testing your abilities; difficult | The project was challenging but enjoyable. |
| online research | Noun phrase [B2] | gathering information using the internet | I rely on online research for most of my academic work. |
| struggling | Verb [B2] | trying hard to do something difficult | I was struggling to meet the deadline with no internet access. |
| around the corner | Idiom [C1] | happening very soon | The deadline was just around the corner, so I had to act fast. |
| final exam | Noun phrase [B2] | the last and most important examination in a course | My final exam was in two days and I had no internet access. |
| approaching | Verb [B2] | coming nearer in time or space | With the deadline approaching, the pressure was building. |
| disturbance | Noun [B2] | something that interrupts concentration or peace | Any disturbance during the exam must be reported. |
| immediately | Adverb [B2] | at once; without delay | I immediately contacted customer support when the error appeared. |
| fee | Noun [B2] | an amount of money charged for a service | There is a monthly fee for the streaming subscription. |
| due | Adjective [B2] | owed and required to be paid | The bill was due at the end of the month. |
| discovered | Verb [B2] | found out or became aware of something | I discovered the problem was caused by an expired subscription. |
| restarted | Verb [B2] | turned a device off and back on again | I restarted the computer and the problem was resolved. |
| learned a lesson | Phrase [B2] | gained knowledge or understanding from an experience | I learned a lesson about backing up my files regularly. |
| keep track of | Phrase [B2] | to monitor or stay informed about something | It’s important to keep track of your monthly expenses. |
| up to date | Adjective phrase [B2] | current; incorporating the latest information | Make sure your software is always up to date. |
| prevent | Verb [B2] | to stop something from happening | Regular maintenance can prevent most technical issues. |
| unnecessary | Adjective [B2] | not needed; more than is required | Try to avoid unnecessary interruptions during study time. |
Sample Answer 2
Well, I’d like to talk about a technological problem I had with my camera. Honestly, it was quite a stressful experience at the time.
So this happened last year when I was traveling in Australia. Just before the trip, I had invested in this very expensive camera. It cost me over 10,000 yuan. So as you can imagine, I had super high expectations for it.
It was one of those like pocket sized camera. They’re quite invisible. You can hold them in your hand. You can even clip them like onto your T-shirts or like your baseball cap. You know, it’s known for being incredibly stable with amazing video quality. So I was really hyped to use it during my trip, you know, to to vlog it.
So I remember on the very first day I was walking around the city, you know, around the beautiful harbors. I put on my camera, try to capture some views. So I press the power button and just wouldn’t turn on.
At first, I thought it was a minor glitch, like maybe the battery was drained. So I switched the battery to a fully charged one. But still, the screen remained black. Nothing happened. So, I was honestly in shock because that was the only camera I had with me on that trip. Then I just completely lost my appetite for sightseeing. I know it’s pathetic. But these days, if you can’t like take pictures, if you can’t capture it, it almost feels like you weren’t really there. So, fixing the camera obviously became my top priority.
So I had to find like an electronics repair shop, you know, on Google Map. And that took some time. I walked over, I explained the situation to the staff and they were incredibly helpful. So they ran a quick check, like a diagnostic for the camera and they figured out that the camera itself was fine. But the memory card inside it was kind of corrupted. And that kind of caused the whole system to freeze. So they helped me pick out a replacement card and just tuck it in.
And the camera, yeah, came back alive, fired right up. So looking back, it was actually a very stressful experience. Definitely memorable. And it just made me realize that even the most expensive tech can fail you when you least expect it. So, yeah, it’s nice to have a backup plan. And when you run into problems, you just have to like deal with it.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| invest in (something) | B2 | Verb phrase | To put money into something expensive because you expect it to be worth it or useful. | Just before my trip, I decided to invest in a very expensive camera. |
| high expectations | B2 | Noun phrase | A strong belief that something will be very good or successful. | Because it cost so much, I naturally had really high expectations for it. |
| pocket-sized | B2 | Adjective | Small enough to fit in a pocket; very compact and portable. | It was one of those pocket-sized cameras you can clip onto your T-shirt. |
| hyped (to do something) | C1 | Adjective (informal) | Very excited and eager about something. | I was so hyped to use it during my trip and vlog everything. |
| capture (a moment / view) | B2 | Verb | To record or photograph something so you can keep it. | I put on the camera to capture some views around the harbour. |
| a minor glitch | C1 | Noun phrase | A small, temporary fault or problem, usually easy to fix. | At first I assumed it was just a minor glitch with the battery. |
| the battery was drained | B2 | Verb phrase | The battery has completely run out of power. | I thought maybe the battery was drained, so I swapped it out. |
| be in shock | B2 | Verb phrase | To be so surprised or upset that you can’t react normally. | I was honestly in shock because it was the only camera I had. |
| lose one’s appetite for (something) | C1 | Idiom | To suddenly stop wanting to do or enjoy something. | Once it broke, I completely lost my appetite for sightseeing. |
| top priority | B2 | Noun phrase | The most important thing that must be dealt with first. | Fixing the camera immediately became my top priority. |
| corrupted | C1 | Adjective | (Of data or a file) damaged so that it no longer works properly. | They discovered the memory card inside was corrupted. |
| fire (right) up | C1 | Phrasal verb (informal) | To start working or switch on, often suddenly. | They popped in a new card and the camera fired right up. |
| when you least expect it | C1 | Fixed phrase | At a moment when you are not prepared for something to happen. | Even the most expensive tech can fail you when you least expect it. |
| a backup plan | B2 | Noun phrase | An alternative arrangement in case the original one fails. | It taught me it’s always smart to have a backup plan. |
ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: A technological problem (camera)
Part 3
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Al?
On the positive side, AI can make our lives much more efficient. For example, generative AI tools can quickly summarize and organize information for us. So we don’t need to search through everything manually. It can also give suggestions, help people brainstorm ideas, and sometimes even act like a personal assistant.
However, I think the biggest downside is that people may become too dependent on it. Nowadays, some people turn to AI immediately whenever they have a question, instead of thinking about it themselves first. The problem is that AI isn’t always accurate, but many people still trust it too easily. In the long run, I think relying too much on AI could weaken people’s critical thinking and independent thinking skills. So personally, I think AI should support people’s thinking rather than replace it.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| efficient | B2 | Adjective | Working well and getting good results without wasting time or effort. | AI can make our daily lives far more efficient and save us a lot of time. |
| generative AI | C1 | Noun phrase | AI that can create new content such as text, images, or code in response to a prompt. | Generative AI tools can quickly summarize and organize information for you. |
| summarize | B2 | Verb | To give the main points of something in a short and clear way. | It can summarize a long article so I don’t have to read the whole thing. |
| brainstorm ideas | B2 | Verb phrase | To think of a lot of ideas quickly, often before choosing the best one. | I sometimes use AI to help me brainstorm ideas when I feel stuck. |
| act like a personal assistant | B2 | Verb phrase | To perform helpful, organizing tasks the way a human assistant would. | In a way, AI can act like a personal assistant that manages your schedule. |
| the biggest downside | C1 | Noun phrase | The most serious disadvantage or negative aspect of something. | The biggest downside is that people may become too dependent on it. |
| become too dependent on (something) | C1 | Verb phrase | To rely on something so much that you struggle to manage without it. | There’s a real risk that we become too dependent on these tools. |
| turn to (something/someone) | C1 | Phrasal verb | To go to something or someone for help or support. | Some people turn to AI immediately whenever they have a question. |
| accurate | B2 | Adjective | Correct, exact, and free from mistakes. | The problem is that AI isn’t always accurate, yet people trust it anyway. |
| in the long run | C1 | Fixed phrase | Over a long period of time in the future, rather than immediately. | In the long run, relying too much on AI could do more harm than good. |
| rely too much on (something) | B2 | Verb phrase | To depend on something more than is healthy or sensible. | If we rely too much on AI, we may stop thinking for ourselves. |
| critical thinking | C1 | Noun phrase | The ability to analyse information carefully and judge it for yourself. | Over-reliance on AI could gradually weaken our critical thinking skills. |
| weaken (a skill / ability) | C1 | Verb | To make something less strong or less effective over time. | Depending on it for every answer could weaken our independent thinking. |
| support rather than replace | C1 | Verb phrase | To assist or add to something without taking its place entirely. | Personally, I think AI should support our thinking rather than replace it. |
ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: Advantages and disadvantages of AI
2. Do you think people today should learn about Al technology?
Definitely, I think people today should at least learn the basics of AI technology because it’s already becoming part of everyday life and work.
Just like previous technological revolutions, if people completely resist a new technology instead of adapting to it, they may gradually fall behind. For example, many companies now expect job applicants to know how to use AI tools efficiently. So, being familiar with AI can definitely improve someone’s competitiveness in the job market and help them work more productively.
At the same time, AI is still developing very quickly, so I think people should keep paying attention to the new updates and changes to make sure the knowledge stays useful and up-to-date.
Of course, learning AI doesn’t mean people should rely on it blindly. I think the most important thing is learning how to use it wisely as a tool to support our work and thinking.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| learn the basics of (something) | B2 | Verb phrase | To learn the most essential, foundational parts of a subject or skill. | Everyone should at least learn the basics of AI these days. |
| part of everyday life | B2 | Noun phrase | Something so common that it is a normal, routine part of daily living. | AI is quickly becoming part of everyday life and work. |
| technological revolution | C1 | Noun phrase | A major change caused by the arrival of important new technology. | Just like previous technological revolutions, AI is reshaping how we work. |
| resist (a change / technology) | C1 | Verb | To refuse to accept or go along with something new. | If people resist a new technology completely, they tend to struggle later. |
| adapt to (something) | B2 | Verb phrase | To change your behaviour so you can deal with a new situation successfully. | Those who adapt to AI early usually have a real advantage. |
| fall behind | C1 | Phrasal verb | To fail to keep up with others and end up in a worse position. | People who refuse to adapt may gradually fall behind everyone else. |
| job applicants | B2 | Noun phrase | People who are applying for a job. | Many companies now expect job applicants to be comfortable with AI tools. |
| be familiar with (something) | B2 | Adjective phrase | To know something well because you have experience of it. | Being familiar with AI tools can really strengthen your CV. |
| competitiveness in the job market | C1 | Noun phrase | How well someone can compete against others for jobs. | These skills clearly improve your competitiveness in the job market. |
| work more productively | B2 | Verb phrase | To get more done in the same amount of time. | The right tools help people work far more productively. |
| keep paying attention to (something) | B2 | Verb phrase | To continue noticing and following developments closely. | You have to keep paying attention to the latest updates and changes. |
| up-to-date | B2 | Adjective | Including the most recent information; not out of date. | Constant learning keeps your knowledge useful and up-to-date. |
| rely on (something) blindly | C1 | Verb phrase | To trust and depend on something completely without questioning it. | Learning AI doesn’t mean we should rely on it blindly. |
| use (something) wisely | C1 | Verb phrase | To use something in a sensible, well-judged way. | The key is learning how to use AI wisely as a tool. |
ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: Should people learn about AI technology?
3. Should children learn to use Al?
Absolutely. I think children should learn to use AI. In today’s digital age, AI has become a common tool just like books and stationery for study.
When used well, AI can expand children’s knowledge and make learning more engaging and efficient. It allows them to explore fields they’re interested in and discover new knowledge on their own. Meanwhile, guidance from parents and teachers is vital. Kids need to know AI is only an assistant. They should think independently first instead of relying on it too much. So that technology can truly support their growth.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| the digital age | C1 | Noun phrase | The current period in which digital technology is central to how we live and work. | In today’s digital age, AI is as common as books and stationery. |
| a common tool | B2 | Noun phrase | Something widely and regularly used to help get things done. | For many students, AI has become a common tool for studying. |
| expand (one’s) knowledge | C1 | Verb phrase | To increase what someone knows or understands. | Used well, AI can really expand children’s knowledge. |
| engaging | B2 | Adjective | Interesting and enjoyable enough to hold your attention. | It can make learning more engaging and efficient for kids. |
| explore (a field / topic) | B2 | Verb | To investigate or study a subject in order to learn more about it. | AI lets children explore fields they’re genuinely interested in. |
| discover (something) on one’s own | B2 | Verb phrase | To find out or learn something independently, without being told. | They can discover new knowledge on their own at their own pace. |
| guidance | B2 | Noun | Help and advice about how to do something or behave. | Guidance from parents and teachers is absolutely vital here. |
| vital | C1 | Adjective | Extremely important and necessary. | Adult supervision is vital when young children use these tools. |
| think independently | C1 | Verb phrase | To form your own ideas and judgements rather than following others. | Kids should think independently first before checking with AI. |
| rely on (something) too much | B2 | Verb phrase | To depend on something more than is healthy or sensible. | The danger is that children start to rely on it too much. |
| support (one’s) growth | C1 | Verb phrase | To help someone develop and improve over time. | Used wisely, technology can truly support a child’s growth. |
ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: Should children learn to use AI?
4. How can Al help in our lives?
I think we’re only just starting to scratch the surface of how impactful AI will really become.
In such a short space of time, the topic of AI has exploded, and it’s now the talk of the town in both the business world and people’s personal lives. If we look at the business setting, AI is already being used extensively.
It’s there to automate correspondence, to automate repetitive tasks and take them off of humans. Equally, senior executives use AI to aid with strategic decision making. In people’s personal lives, AI can be just as impactful. If you’ve got a holiday to plan, why not turn to AI? It can tell you where to stay, what to see and do, places to eat and compare all of your different options in seconds.
Again, you can use AI to meal plan and prep. You can use AI to research any topic or subject that takes your fancy. It’s really an incredible tool when used correctly. I can’t see this trend reversing anytime soon. And as companies mature and as AI products innovate further, I believe that we’re going to see AI in more and more of our daily lives.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| scratch the surface | C2 | Idiom | To deal with only a tiny part of something much bigger. | We’re only just starting to scratch the surface of what AI can do. |
| in such a short space of time | C1 | Fixed phrase | Within a surprisingly brief period. | In such a short space of time, AI has completely taken off. |
| the talk of the town | C2 | Idiom | Something that a lot of people are talking about because it is exciting or new. | AI is now the talk of the town in both business and everyday life. |
| be used extensively | C1 | Verb phrase | To be used widely and in large amounts. | In the business world, AI is already being used extensively. |
| automate (a task) | C1 | Verb | To make a process work automatically using machines or software instead of people. | Companies use AI to automate correspondence and admin work. |
| repetitive tasks | B2 | Noun phrase | Boring jobs that involve doing the same thing over and over again. | AI can take repetitive tasks off humans so they focus on bigger things. |
| senior executives | C1 | Noun phrase | People who hold high-ranking, decision-making positions in a company. | Even senior executives now use AI to guide their decisions. |
| strategic decision making | C1 | Noun phrase | The process of making important choices that shape long-term goals. | AI can aid with strategic decision making at the highest level. |
| turn to (something) | C1 | Phrasal verb | To go to something for help or a solution. | If you’ve got a holiday to plan, why not turn to AI? |
| weigh up / compare options | B2 | Verb phrase | To consider different choices carefully before deciding. | It can compare all your different options in seconds. |
| take your fancy | C2 | Idiom | To attract you or seem appealing to you. | You can research any topic that takes your fancy. |
| a trend reversing | C1 | Noun phrase | A general direction of change moving back the opposite way. | I can’t see this trend reversing anytime soon. |
| (companies) mature | C1 | Verb | To become more developed, established, and refined over time. | As these companies mature, their AI products will only get better. |
| innovate further | C1 | Verb phrase | To keep creating new ideas, methods, or products. | As AI products innovate further, we’ll see them everywhere. |
ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: How impactful AI will become
5. Do you think students are overly reliant on Al?
For me, no, I don’t think that students are overly reliant on AI. If anything, I don’t think that they get enough guidance and teaching on the proper uses of AI by experts in that field.
If you look at the business world, companies are trying to inject AI into all departments and all parts of their businesses to increase productivity, to drive revenue, and to be able to do more with less.
But in the education setting, suddenly it becomes taboo to use AI. Suddenly it becomes students cheating or taking credit for other people’s work.
AI as a study companion and as a supplement to a student’s efforts, I think, is incredible. It allows them to research and understand topics quicker. It allows them to produce reports or presentations of a higher quality than they would be able to do just by themselves. And so rather than being overly reliant on AI, I actually think students should be taught to use it in more and more of their education.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| overly reliant on (something) | C1 | Adjective phrase | Depending on something too much, to an unhealthy degree. | I don’t actually think students are overly reliant on AI. |
| guidance | B2 | Noun | Help and advice about how to do something properly. | Students don’t get enough guidance on the proper uses of AI. |
| inject (something) into | C1 | Verb phrase | To introduce something new into a system, often to improve it. | Companies are trying to inject AI into every department. |
| increase productivity | B2 | Verb phrase | To get more work or output done in the same amount of time. | They adopt these tools mainly to increase productivity. |
| drive revenue | C1 | Verb phrase | To cause a business’s income to grow. | AI is being used to cut costs and drive revenue. |
| do more with less | C1 | Fixed phrase | To achieve greater results using fewer resources. | The goal is to do more with less across the whole business. |
| taboo | C1 | Adjective / Noun | Prohibited or strongly disapproved of by social or cultural custom. | In education, though, using AI is almost treated as taboo. |
| take credit for (something) | C1 | Verb phrase | To claim praise or recognition for something, often unfairly. | People assume students are taking credit for other people’s work. |
| a study companion | C1 | Noun phrase | Something that supports and accompanies you while you learn. | AI as a study companion can be genuinely incredible. |
| a supplement to (something) | C1 | Noun phrase | Something added to improve or complete something else. | It works best as a supplement to a student’s own efforts. |
| of a higher quality | B2 | Adjective phrase | Better in standard than something else. | They can produce reports of a higher quality than on their own. |
| by themselves | B2 | Adverbial phrase | Without any help from others; alone. | It’s more than they could ever manage just by themselves. |
ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: Are students too reliant on AI?
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